Maine 09/11/12 Lebanon, York County: State health officials have identified cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in a number of farmbirds in Lebanon, according to Lebanon Selectman Jason Cole. Maine State Epidemiologist Dr. Stephen Sears on Monday told Robert Frizzell, chairman of the Board of Selectmen that state officials found the disease in a number of pheasants raised on a farm in Lebanon, and 30 birds have died of the disease. “The Lebanon Board of Selectmen wants to make sure that the residents are aware of the situation and are provided the facts that we were provided,” Frizzell said in a statement. “There is no need for alarm. We simply want to ensure the residents have the information that we have been provided so they can make the appropriate safety measures.” – See http://www.keepmecurrent.com/news_now/birds-in-lebanon-die-of-equine-encephalitis/article_2c6abf34-fc22-11e1-b50d-0019bb2963f4.html

Illinois 09/09/12 LakeCounty: Health officials have confirmed five human cases of WNV in the county including a 68-yearold man in Buffalo Grove, a 60-year-old man in Mundelein, a 65-year-old woman in Grayslake, a 42-year-old woman in Libertyville, and a 69-year-old man in LakeZurich. In addition, 81 mosquito pools and three birds have tested positive for the virus. – See http://www.wlsam.com/Article.asp?id=2529438&spid=

South Carolina 09/11/12 NorthAugusta, Aiken County: Health officials have confirmed that Stacy Furtick, 80, is the first man in the state to die of WNV this year. A total of 17 human cases have been identified by SCDHEC in 11 different counties across the state and five of those were in Aiken County. Statewide, three animals and 13 birds have also tested positive for the illness. – See http://www.aikenstandard.com/story/0911-west-nile-virus-death-con

Travel Warning:

Malaysia 09/10/12 cdc.gov: Outbreak Notice – CDC has received reports of four cases of sarcocystosis that have been associated with 2012 summer travel to Tioman Island. Sarcocystosis is a disease caused by a parasite called Sarcocystis. Sarcocystosis occurs in tropical or subtropical countries, including countries in Southeast Asia. This disease is common among wild and domestic animals but can also cause disease in humans. Two forms of the disease can occur: one causes diarrhea and the other causes muscle pain, fevers, and other symptoms. Muscle sarcocystosis is spread through the ingestion of food, water, or soil contaminated with infected animal feces. Many people infected with Sarcocystis may not have symptoms. The travelers described in this notice returned from Malaysia with severe muscle pain. Other reported symptoms included mild diarrhea and fever. Most people were ill for 2-4 weeks after leaving the island. – See http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/outbreak-notice/sarcocystosis-malaysia-outbreak.htm

Colorado 12/15/11 nps.gov: News Release – Dinosaur National Monument has closed the Split Mountain Campground, Picnic Area and Green River Access effective immediately due to mountain lion activity. On the afternoon of December 11th, a mountain lion was observed dragging a mule deer kill down from the hill to a cache site in the Campground. Mountain lions can cache their kills and return to feed for a number of days, and they exhibit defensive behavior around the carcass during that time. In winter conditions, the lion can remain near the cached carcass for one to two weeks. Due to the significant safety risk posed by the lion and the cached food supply, the Split Mountain area is closed until further notice. It is anticipated that the area will reopen within two weeks. Visitors are reminded that although mountain lions, also known as cougars, are rare to see, all of Dinosaur National Monument is suitable habitat. -For precautions that should be observed within the monument go to http://www.nps.gov/dino/parknews/mountain-lion-closure.htm

Deer Mouse

Nevada 12/14/11 mynews4.com: The Elko County coroner has confirmed that the death of Paul Cash, 39, a fire captain with the Nevada Department of Forestry who died last February, was due to complications from a Hantavirus infection. In a complaint filed by the Occupational Safety and Health Chief Administrative Officer, the coroner claims Cash contracted the virus at one of the Spring Creek fire stations just outside of Elko. According to the complaint, firefighters were potentially exposed to deer mice feces, but despite federal law, they were not required to use protective gear while cleaning up areas with mouse droppings. The complaint goes on to state that firefighters routinely swept up the station with equipment that had been stored next to possible deer mice nesting sites. It is known that Hantavirus infection can be contracted by inhaling dust containing deer mouse feces. After receiving confirmation that Cash died because of occupational exposure to Hantavirus, the Nevada division of forestry failed to notify OSHA as federal law requires.

AUSTRALIA: Dengue warning for North QueenslandHeading to North Queensland? Beware of dengue. That’s the message to both residents and travelers as the state’s north prepares for the wet season. More details.Advice to travelers: Travelers visiting Queensland’s tropical north should take the same bite-prevention measures as those heading to tropical destinations overseas. Cover up and apply an insect repellent containing effective active ingredients, such as DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus, to exposed skin when outdoors. There is no vaccine or preventative medication for dengue.

BRAZIL: Dengue epidemic alertsThe Brazilian Ministry of Health has issued an alert warning of the potential for dengue epidemics in 48 municipalities due to high numbers of Aedes aegypti mosquito breeding sites. More details

INDONESIA: South Jakarta a hot spot for dengue
The Kebayoran Lama district in South Jakarta has one of the highest rates of dengue in the national capital. Other districts with high case numbers include: Pasar Minggu (194), Tebet (151), Jagakarsa (123), Cilandak (118), Pesanggrahan (93), Kebayoran Baru and Setiabudi (85), Pancoran (61), and Mampang Prapatan (49). More details.

MARSHALL ISLANDS: Dengue count now tops 500
Three months after i ts sudden arrival, 506 dengue cases have been reported, including 138 hospital admissions. There have also been cases on Ebeye Island (3) and the outer islands of Arno (5), Utrik (7), and Enewetak (3). The outbreak has prompted a massive local clean-up. More details.

MALAYSIA: Sarcocystosis cluster on Tioman Island A cluster of sarcocystosis cases have been reported among travelers returning to various countries from Tioman Island, located on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. More details.Advice to travellers: Sarcocystosis is caused by a parasite called sarcocystis, and occurs in tropical or subtropical countries, mainly in South East Asia. Most people infected with sarcocystis do not have symptoms, however it can cause muscle pain, mild diarrhea, and fever. While there is no vaccine or treatment for sarcocystosis, most infected people recover without treatment. Travelers should follow safe food and water guidelines, and practice good hygiene.

Global 12/06/11 bbc.co.uk: by Jennifer Carpenter – First identified in 1976, Ebola fever kills more than 90% of the people it infects. The researchers say that this is the first Ebola vaccine to remain viable long-term and can therefore be successfully stockpiled. The results are reported in the journal Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences.

Ebola is transmitted via bodily fluids, and can become airborne. Sufferers experience nausea, vomiting, internal bleeding and organ failure before they die. Although few people contract Ebola each year, its effects are so swift and devastating that it is often feared that it could be used against humans in an act of terrorism. All previously developed vaccines have relied on injecting intact, but crippled, viral particles into the body. Long-term storage tends to damage the virus, paralyzing the vaccine’s effectiveness.

The new vaccine contains a synthetic viral protein, which prompts the immune system to better recognize the Ebola virus, and is much more stable when stored long-term. The vaccine protects 80% of the mice injected with the deadly strain, and survives being “dried down and frozen,” said biotechnologist Charles Arntzen from Arizona State University who was involved in its development. He said the next step is to try the vaccine on a strain of Ebola that is closer to the one that infects humans.

Travel Warnings:

Malaysia 12/06/11 cdc.gov: GeoSentinel has reported a cluster of sarcocystosis among travelers returning from Malaysia. These travelers reported visiting Tioman Island on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia before their illnesses occurred. Sarcocystosis is a disease caused by a parasite called sarcocystis. Sarcocystosis occurs in tropical or subtropical countries, mainly countries in Southeast Asia.

Malaysia

This disease usually affects animals but also can also cause disease in humans. Two forms of the disease can occur, one which causes diarrhea, and the other which causes muscle pain, fevers, and other symptoms. Most people infected with sarcocystis do not have symptoms. The travelers described in this notice returned from Malaysia with prominent muscle pain, a symptom consistent with sarcocystosis. Other reported symptoms included mild diarrhea and fever. Most people have been ill for 2-4 weeks. Muscle sarcocystosis is spread through the ingestion of food, water, or soil contaminated with infected animal feces. There is currently no vaccine or treatment for sarcocystosis; most infected people get better on their own.- For advice on how travelers can protect themselves go to http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/outbreak-notice/sarcocystosis-malaysia.htm?source=govdelivery

Jerry Genesio

Author of "UNSEEN HAZARDS That Threaten Hunters, Campers, and Hikers: What you should know about pathogens commonly found in wildlife."

This is where wildlife and healthcare professionals, hunters, campers, hikers, anglers, and other outdoor enthusiasts will find interesting information about natural unseen hazards that place them at risk. As my book focused exclusively on Rabies, Tetanus (Lockjaw), Tularemia (Rabbit Fever), Brucellosis (Undulant Fever), Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Borrelia (Lyme Disease), posts regarding these six diseases will be limited to more recent developments and items of interest that were not included or were not available when the book was published in June of 2009. Topics will also include Chronic Wasting Disease, West Nile Virus, Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, and other diseases of particular interest to those who work and play in the great American outdoors.

Don’t Be Afraid – Be Aware!

The Natural Unseen Hazards blog is available to all free of charge and is maintained as a public service.

If you have questions related to pathogens commonly found in wildlife, e.g. the disease caused by a specific pathogen, hosts, vectors, symptoms, treatment, territorial range, etc., please comment here or e-mail to jerrygenesio@gmail.com and I will attempt to provide answers.

"Chance favors the prepared mind."
Louis Pasteur

Unless otherwise noted, images have been provided by the CDC Public Health Image Library, Wikimedia Commons, the National Park Service or other government agencies, Bing.com, and/or Google.com.

"Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less."
Marie Curie

"It's better to look ahead and prepare, than to look back and regret."
Jackie Joyner Kersee